Martynivka Treasure (Ukrainian: Мартинівський скарб, Martynivsky skarb) is a hoard consisting of 116 silver items (weighing about 3.3 kg) found in 1909, in the village of Martynivka, Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine. The treasure is currently preserved at the National Historical Museum of Ukraine in Kyiv and the British Museum in London.[1] It is dated approximately to the 6th-7th centuries AD.

Martynivka Treasure
Part of the Martynivka hoard on display in the British Museum
MaterialSilver and precious stones
Created6th-7th Centuries AD
Period/cultureSlavs
Present locationNational Historical Museum of Ukraine and British Museum
Identification1912,0610.1-22 (BM)
One of the figurines found at the Martynivka Treasure depicting a person wearing an embroidered shirt

Origin

edit

Historians proposed different theories for the culture which this treasure could have belonged. The most popular hypothesis connects this hoard with Penkovo culture of Antes.

Description

edit

The hoard includes four anthropomorphic silver figurines of 'dancing men' (Ukrainian newspapers sometimes refer to them as 'aliens' for their unusual appearance[2]), five animal figurines, three fibulas, a radiate-head brooch, six armlets, tiaras, ear rings, neck rings, buckles, belt-fittings and horse harnesses. The style of figurines is sometimes considered as influenced by Huns, Bulgars or Avars.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ British Museum Collection
  2. ^ "Энциклопедия аномальных явлений".
  3. ^ "British Museum Highlights". Archived from the original on 2015-10-18. Retrieved 2017-06-15.

Literature

edit
edit